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4-8
most biologically productive natural ecosystems in the world. They also protect wildlife,
provide natural open spaces, protect water quality, control erosion, and limit flood damage.
Wetlands, as classified in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (USFWS) National Wetlands Inventory
(NWI), within the Planning Area are primarily
riparian or bottomland forest associated with
streams and their floodplains (Figure 4-3) (NCCGIA,
2013, which is based on the 1982 USFWS NWI). The
majority of the NWI wetlands are forested or scrub-
shrub and are part of bottomland communities
adjacent to larger streams within the Planning Area
(Table 4-3). Analysis of the Wake County Soil
Survey (USDA, 1970) also shows hydric soils,
primarily along stream channels, concurring with NWI data indicating that wetlands within
the Planning Area are primarily located within riparian and floodplain areas. Small areas of
emergent wetlands are present along ponds. Open water ponds occur along many of the
streams within the Planning Area. While the NWI does not map all jurisdictional wetlands,
it is useful in terms of classifying types of wetlands and their approximate locations within
the Planning Area. It is important to note that many changes have taken place within the
Planning Area since these data were compiled.
4.5
Prime or Unique Agricultural Lands
North Carolina Executive Order 96 charges all State agencies to minimize the loss of prime
agricultural and forested lands as defined in the Federal Farmland Protection Policy Act.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation
Service has classified lands into three categories based on suitability for agricultural uses.
These classifications incorporate soil type, slope, and water capacity. Prime farmlands are
those soils with slopes between zero and eight percent in capability classes I and II, and
some in capability class III. Unique farmlands are recognized for having a certain set of
parameters necessary to produce certain high-value crops. The third category, farmland of
statewide importance, includes those soils that do not quite qualify as prime farmland.
Factors include steepness of slope, susceptibility to erosion, and permeability (USDA, 1998).
Soils being defined as prime farmland are present within the Planning Area. The major soil
types in the Planning Area are White Shore and Creedmoor. These upland soils are sandy
loams. Soil types within floodplains and adjacent to streams include Chewacla, Mayodan,
Creedmoor, and Congaree. These soils are silty or sandy loams. Of the major soil types
within the Planning Area, Congaree, Creedmoor, and Chewacla are listed as prime
farmlands (USDA, 1998). Chewacla soils must be drained to be of use for agricultural
purposes. Other soil types considered of statewide importance include Mayodan and White
Store. While soils may be classified as prime farmland, such classification does not mean
that these areas are currently under tillage because many of these soils have been affected by
previous development and other soil disturbances. Town staff has indicated that there are
no farms within the Planning Area, with the exception of a community garden on Town-
owned land; the property is leased to a local community group for a nominal fee.
TABLE 4-3
National Wetlands Inventory
NWI Type
Acres
Emergent
8
Forested/Shrub
156
Lakes/Ponds
73
Total
237
Source: NCCGIA, 2013